Nurse's Office

Wendy Glasscock                                                School Nurse

MEDICATION

Occasionally a child will need to receive medications at school. When this is necessary the parent is responsible for obtaining a Medication Authorization Form from the school nurse or school office. The doctor as well as the parent must sign the authorization form for ANY medication to be given at school including over the counter meds. Certain medications (i.e. inhalers) can be self-administered; therefore, that part of the medication authorization form must be signed also. The form allows the physician to give the school directions on how to give the required medication and any side effects that may occur from the medication. Medication cannot be given until both the physician and the parent have signed the Medication Authorization Form. The first dose of any medication should be given at home where any reaction may be observed by the parent/guardian and reported to the physician.

All medicines must be in the original prescription bottle clearly labeled by the pharmacist with the student's name, name of the medication, dosage and time the medication should be given at school. Most pharmacists will be glad to give you an extra labeled bottle to keep at school if you ask. All controlled medications including, but not limited to ADHD meds and pain meds must be brought to school by a parent. The student is not allowed to transport such medications.

Parents are responsible for keeping their child's medicine refilled for school use and for getting an updated Medication Authorization Form signed by the physician when there is a medication arid/or dosage change. There should never be more than one month's supply of medicine left at school.

Parents are encouraged to schedule medication times before or after school, if at all possible. Securing and safeguarding medicine and children leaving the classroom for medication are both time consuming and disruptive. With the realization that at times medication during the school day is necessary in order that the child be present at school, full cooperation will be given to the parents/guardians and full cooperation is expected in return.

WHEN TO KEEP THE STUDENT HOME

Regular attendance at school is encouraged and is necessary for the student's progress. However, he/she should stay at home if he/she has any of the following conditions in order to prevent the spread of communicable diseases to others.

1. Fever - temperature of 100 or above. Student should remain home until fever free for 24 hours or on antibiotics for 24 hours.

• 2. Vomiting - Student should not attend school if they have vomited within the last 24 hours.
• 3. Diarrhea - Student should remain home if they have had diarrhea within the last 24 hours.

4. Undiagnosed Rash - Student should not attend school until the rash has been diagnosed and treated. It could be measles, chickenpox or some other contagious disease.

5. Pink Eye (conjunctivitis) - Pink eye is contagious. Student should be seen by a doctor and treated before returning to school.

CHRONIC ILLNESS

Any student suffering from a chronic illness, such as asthma, heart problems, cancer, etc., may need special attention by the school faculty and staff. The parent should notify the school of such an illness and any treatment routinely or occasionally needed by the student on the health assessment form given out by the teacher.